Fire extinguisher



July 18, 1933. A.B. PHISTER 1,918,930

FIRE EXTINGUI SHER Filed Feb. 27. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l July 18, 1933.A, B. PHISTER 1,918,930

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed Feb. 27, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 18, 1933. A.B. PHISTER FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed Feb. 27, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3Patented July 18, 1933 UNITED STATES ALBERT B. PHISTEB, OF FORT THOMAS,KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO THE PHISTER MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OFCINCINNAZLOHIO, A C'QRPORATION OF OHIO FIR-E EXTINGU ISI-IER Applicationfiled Februarvfi, 1931. Serial No. 518,827.

This invention pertains particularly to fire extinguishers of the typeemploying a liquid-chamber and a pressure-chamber and preferablyequipped with a centrally dis posed pump by means of which thepressurechamber may be charged with compressed air.

The primary object is to provide a fire eittinguisher of the typeindicated having an improved arrangement of service-valves forcontrolling the service liquid-duct which constitutes an outlet from theliquid chamber to the hose and the service air-duct through which theairinay pass from the pressure chamber to the liquid-chamber.

Further objects are to provide an improved valve device through whichthe pressure chamber of the extinguisher may be charged with air from anexternal source; and also to provide means for closing the intake port,

or intake nipple, with which the pump is provided, assuming thepump-plunger to be in the position which it occupies when it serves as ahandle for the extinguisher.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in theaccompanying drawings, in which.-

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a fire extinguisher embodying theinvention; Fig. 2, a broken elevational view, taken at right angles tothe view shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a central vertical sectional view,taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 4; Fig. i, a plan view, showing thepump-plunger in section; Fig. 5, a broken vertical sectional view, takenas indicated at line 5 of Fig. 4, showing a combination valve associatedwith the pressure chamber of the extinguisher; Fig. 6, abroken verticalsectional view taken as indicated at line 6 of Fig. 4, showing theliquid outlet duct and the valve which controls the same; Fig. 7 abroken section taken as indicated at line 7 of Fig. 4, illustrating theservice airduct lea-ding from the inner pressure chamber to the outerliquid chamber of the extinguisher and showing also the valve whichcontrols said duct; Fig. 8, a broken vertical section taken as indicatedat line 8 of Fig. 4, illustrating the means whereby air may pass fromthe pump, when operated, to the inner pressure chamber of theextinguisher; Fig. 9, a broken view, partly in section, of the chargingvalve employed when the pressure cham her is to be charged from anexternal source, said valve serving also to positively close the portthrough which the pressure chamber is charged 5 Fig. 10, a plan view ofthe actuating screw and its handle employed for actuating a lever orhead with which the service valves are connected; and F ig.-11, anenlarged sectional view of the end of valve head G or G In theembodiment illustrated A designates an outer annular liquid chamberhaving an outer cylindrical wall 1 and aninner cylindrical wall 2; B, apressure chamber, concentric with the chamber A, whose outer wall is thecylindrical wall 2, and whose inner wall is in the form of a smallcentral cylinder 3; C, a lower head which forms a common base for thecylinders mentioned; D, an upper head which forms a common top for thecylinders mentioned, it being noted, however, that the upper end of thecentral cylinder 3 is left open to admit the pump-plunger; E, a tubularpump-plunger which works within the central cylinder 3, which thusconstitutes a barrel for the pump, the upper end of the plunger beingequipped with a handle E; F, a charging valve which controls a chargingport leading to the pressure chamber B; G, a valve device whichcomprises a lever, a cross-head, G and a service air valve G and aservice liquid valve G the crosshead G being connected with said valvesand being operated by an actuating device G*; H, (Fig. 6) a liquideduction tube which communicates with a liquid port 4 in the upper headD, said port having in its course a valve seat 5 for the valve G H, adischarge nipple connected with the pipe l; H a hose connected with thenipple H; and J, a pressure gauge connectedwith the com pressed-airchamberB and disposed in a housing J mounted on the upper head D.

As will be understood from Fig. 3, the cylinders 1 and 2 have their endsfitted in annular grooves with which the heads C'and D are provided; andthe pump-cylinder-3 has screw connection at its lower end with a tubularupstanding boss 6 with which the bottom C is equipped and with a tubularboss 7 with which the head D is equipped. By this means, the heads aresecurely connected together.

It will be understood that the liquid-tube H extends to a point near thebottom of the liquid chamber-A, so that when air pressure is admitted tothe upper portion of the chamber A, the liquid will be forced downwardlyand thence up through the tube H.

The lower head 0 preferably consists of a casting.

The upper head D also consists of a casting upon which the valves aremounted. This casting is provided at one edge with a projecting flange 8having therein a slot 8 adapted to engage a supporting hook (not shown).The flange 8 is also adapted to serve as a guard to prevent injury tothe valve1nechanism G, in the event that the fire extinguisher should bedropped.

The plunger E of the pump is of tubular form. It is provided near itsupper end with an intake nipple 9, so that the interior of the plungeris in communication with the atmosphere. The tubular plunger is fittedat its lower end with a plug 10, which has extending therethrough avalved control-passage 11. The plug is fitted with a leather cup 12,which has an upturned flange. When the plunger is lifted, airenters thepump cylinder through the passage 11 and when the plunger is depressedthe air is forced upwardly through the annular passage 13 between theplunger and the pump cylinder 3.

The casting D has a central opening fitted with a packing gland 1% (Fig.8), through which the plunger E works. At the upper end of the passage13 is an annular air space 13 which communicates with a duct 14: in thecasting D. The upper end of the duct 14 is closed b a screw 15 beneathwhich is loosely confined a check valve 16. When the ball 16 is lifted,the air can pass from the pump cylinder through the duct 14 and thencethrough a duct 17 to a point near the inner end of the valve F. Thevalve F controls a duct 18 which leads to the pressure whichcommunicates with a cross-passage 22.

The member 19 extends into a suitable bore with which the casting D isprovided and has screw connection at 23 with the wall of said bore. Thestem 19 extends through a stufiing gland 2 1.

In Fig. 5, the valve F is shown equipped with a removable cap 25.Wherepressure from a storage tank is available, the pressure chamber Bmay be filled through the valve F. To enable this to be done, the stem19 is unscrewed sufficiently to uncover the port 18.

Air forced inwardly through the valve F will then emerge through theopening 22 and pass throught the duct 18.

here pressurefrom an external storage tank is not available, the pumpmay be employed to fill the chamber B with compressed air. In such case,the air will pass through the port 17, assuming the valve F to beunscrewed sufficiently to permit this action. The valve may then beturned to the closed position, so that the port 18 will be securelyclosed, and itwill not be necessary to depend upon the check valve 16,to prevent escape of air.

)1'03631' is desi nated 28. It controls an air passage 29 which leadsfrom the upper portion of the inner pressure chamber B to the upperportion of the outer liquid chamber A. This passage is intersected bythe bore which contains the valve 28. The valve 28 preferably comprisesa brass plunger which has a reduced tipped portion 28*, upon which isformed or fitted'a ring 28" of softer metal such as a suitable alloy oflead, tin and antimony.

As shown in Fig. 7, the tip 28 of comparatively hard metal seats againstthe hard metal of the casting, thus giving a suitable control'of theair.

The service liquid-valve proper is designated 30, and appears mostclearly in Fig. 6. It is interchangeable with the valve 28, and is ofthe same construction. Its reduced tip is designated 30 and the ring ofsofter metal is designated 30. It will be noted that the valve seatshown in Fig. 6 is of such site and shape that the softer ring 30 willseat against the hard metal of the casting, the passage l beingsufiiciently large for this purpose. The valves 28 and 30' are parallel.stems of these valves extend loosely into bores 31 with which thecross-heat G is provided near its ends. The stems are loosely connectedpivotally to the cross-head by pins 32.

The actuating member G" (Figs. 3 and 10) u comprises a stem 33 and awheel or knob 34:. The portion of the stem which is adjacent the wheelis of relatively large diameter and is fitted with a left-hand thread33*. The reduced end portion of the shaft or stem is e aeso fitted witha right-hand thread 33*: The

threaded portion 33 works rather loosely through a threaded bore withwhich the crosshead GT is provided centrally; and the threaded portion33 worksin the threaded bore of a boss 34 which is formed integrallywith the casting D, as shown in Fig. 3. The use of opposite threadsprovides for quick operation of the valves.

The rotary actuator G is adapted to move the cross-head G inwardly whenthe Wheel G is turned clockwise and is adapted to move the cross-headoutwardly when the wheel is turned counter-clockwise. The cross-headserves to actuate the plunger-form service valves; and it will be notedthat the construction is such as to permit the cross-head G to act as alever and also such as to prevent binding in the event that one valvemoves in advance of the other. Should one of the valves stick the othercan advance until it engages its seat, whereupon it acts as a fulcrumfor the lever G and continued movement of the actuating device G4 willthen-cause the other valve to move. Thus, if one valve seats first, itacts as a fulcrum and causes'the other valve to be seated. In thismanner the valves may be seated with equal pressure.

By reference to Figs. 3 and 6, it will be noted that the upper end ofthe liquid-chamber A is formed by an annular flange 35 in the casting D.One wall of the casting is provided with a sight opening 86 within whichis disposed a gasket 37 and a glass disk 38. The disk is confined in theopening and pressed against the gasket by means of a nut 39 which has anopening therethrough. This permits the height of the liquid to be noted.Ordinarily, the chamber A. is almost completely filled, so that the factcan be noted through the glass 38.

The pressure of the air contained in the chamber B can be noted, also,by means of the gauge J.

The housing J for the gauge is in the form of an open shell equippedwith lugs 40 which are secured to the top D of the fire extinguisher. Atthe back side of the loop or shell is a cross-member 41 which is adaptedto overlie the nipple 9 of the plunger E, when said plunger is in thelocked position. As will be understood from Figs. 3 and at, aleaf-spring 42 is carried by the member 41. WVhen the plunger is rotatedto the locked position shown in Fig. 3, the end of the. nipple 9 engagesthe leaf-spring and the passage through the nipple is automaticallyclosed, thus keeping out dust.

It will be understood from Figs. 4, 6, and 7 that the valve mechanism G,as a whole, does not project beyond the outer edge of the flange orguard 8. Thus, should the fire extinguisher be accidentally dropped ortipped over, the guard 8 will prevent accidental opening of the valvesand will prevent injury to the valve mechanism.

By reference to Fig. 4:, the disposition of the service valves G and Gwith reference to the centrally disposed pump will be understood.Thevalves flank the pump-plunger.

Also, it will be noted that the lug 84 is dis- I posed close to theplunger E, and that the cross-head G and actuator G are broughtcorrespondingly close to the plunger of the @715 pump. Moreover, theinclined position of the service valves and of the actuating stem of thedevice G contributes to the desired result and facilitates the'easygrasping of the handwheel or knob G. i

A liquid'commonly employed in fire extinguishers is carbontetrachloride, which is very corrosive in character. By making the top Dof brass and forming the valve 30 of the materials stated, danger ofcorrosion is 755 a hook 44 which serves to engage the hose H No noveltyis claimed for these particular features. 1

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of,understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly aspermissible, in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A fire extinguisher comprising a central pump; cylinder walls spacedwith relation to each other and with relation to said pump to form innerand outer chambers; an upper head connected with the upper end of thecylinder of said pump and with the upper end of said cylinder walls;service valvechambers formed integrally with said head; an air conduitin said head leading from the inner chamber to the outerchamber andintercepted by one of said valve chambers, a passage leading from theouter chamber and intercepted by the other valve chambers, saidlast-mentioned passage being of relatively large diameter as comparedwith said air c0nduit; interchangeable pointed-plunger. service valvesin said valve chambers equipped with rings of soft metal near their tipsand wlth hard metal tips, the ring of soft metal engaging the valve seatat the liquid outlet conduit and the extreme tip portion of the othervalve engaging the valve seat at the air conduit; and common actuatingmeans for said valves.

pump, cylinder walls spaced with relation to each other and withrelation to said pump to form inner and outer chambers, an upper headconnected with the upper end of the cylinder of said pump and with theupper end of said cylinder walls, service valvechambers on said head, anair conduit in said head leading from the inner chamber to the outerchamber and intercepted by one of said valve chambers, a passage leadingfrom the outer chamber and intercepted by the other valvechamber, saidlast mentioned passage being of relatively larger diameter as comparedwith said air conduit, interchangeable pointed service valves in saidvalve-chambers equipped with rings of soft metal near their tips andwith hard metal tips, the ring of soft metal engaging the valve seat atthe liquid outlet conduit and the extreme tip portion of the other valveengaging the valve seat at the air conduit, and common actuating meansfor said valves.

3. In combination with a fire-extinguisher casing affording inner andouter chambers open at their upper ends, an upper head closing the upperends of said chambers, an air conduit in said head leadingfrom the innerchamber to the outer chamber, a passage leading from the outer chamberand being of relatively large diameter as compared with interchangeablesaid air conduit, valve chambers intercepting said conduit and passage,interchangeable pointed service valves in said valve-chambers equippedwith rings of soft metal near their tips and with hard metal tips, thering of soft metal engaging the valve seat at the liquid outlet conduitand the extreme tip portion of the other valve engaging the valve seatat the air conduit, and common actuating means for said valves.

4. In combination with a fire extinguisher casing affording inner andouter chambers open at their upper ends, a head closing the upper endsof saidchambers, an air conduit in said head leading from the innerchamber to the outer chamber, a liquid passage leading from the outerchamber and being of relatively large diameter as compared with said airconduit, service valvechambers intercepting said air conduit and liquidpassage, pointed plunger service valves in said valve-chambers equippedwith rings of soft metal near their tips and with hard metal tips, thering of soft metal engaging the Valveseat at the liquid outlet conduitand the extreme tip portion of the other valve engaging the valve seatat the air conduit, and actuating means for said valves.

ALBERT B. rHIsTERj

